Playing-ball.



N0. 7|l,227. Patented Oct. I4, 1902.

F. H. RICHARDS.

A PLAYINGBALLL A lication filed June 14, 1 902.

(No Model.)

UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS I-I. RICHARDS, OF HARTFO D, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THEKEMPSHALL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

PLAYING-BALL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 71 1,227,. datedOctober 14, 1902.

Application filed Tune 14. 1902. Serial No. 111,776. (No model.)

To a. whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inPlaying-Balls, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to playing-balls, especially those used in thegame of golf; and its object is to produce at low cost a ball havingexceptional flying power under a hard blow, but inactive under a lightblow.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a viewof a ball made in accordance with my present improvements and shownpartly in section, and Fig. 2 is a view of one of a series ofspring-hoops binding the filling of the ball.

The interior of the ball preferably comprises a sphere 1, of softrubber, preferably molded solid rubber. Upon said sphere I applypromiscuously a series of independent spring hoops or hands 2, therebyforming a tense metallic casing or lattice-work A. The springs arepreferably flat or oblong in crosssection, and the number thereof may bevaried to suit the ball to different games or to give it diiferentqualities. The hoops before application are of smaller diameter and aresprung open to fit upon the ball, the ends of each hoop when sprungpreferably meeting, as at B, and since each hoop tends constantly torecover its normal condition every portion of the casing is in a stateof high initial tension, which is a feature of importance. The structurehence comprises a sphere of soft rubber which is bound tightly within acasing of tense springs and shows great activity when given a heavyblow. The reaction of the device is instantaneous and powerful, andhence an ,enormous amount of power may be imparted to the ball, thusprolonging its flight. IVire having other crosssections and of anysuitable spring metal may be used. Upon the casing A, I apply agutta-percha shell 3, preferably formed under heat and pressure andholding the filling under compression.

The spring-casing A may be faced with a fabric layer 4, if desired, toprevent the wire from cutting,especially when thin round wire is used.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a playing-ball, thecombination with a sphere of yielding material, of a series ofindependent metallic hoops expanded and binding upon said sphere andforming a lattice-work casing thereon.

2. In a playing-ball, the combination with a sphere of soft rubber of aseries of promiscuously-arranged independent spring-hoops expandedthereon, and a hard, springy cover upon said hoops.

3. In a playing-ball, the combination with a cover, of a'series ofindependent circular tempered-metal springs confined Within said coverand in a tense condition.

4. In a playing-ball, the combination with a sphere of yieldingmaterial, of a series of independent metal springs independentlyexpanded thereon and each in a tense condition, and a cover inclosingsaid springs.

' 5. In a playing-ball, the combination with a sphere of yieldingmaterial, of a series of independent curved metal springs clasping saidsphere, a shell of plastic material, and an intermediate layer of pliantmaterial.

6. In a playing-ball, the combination with a sphere of yieldingmaterial, of a series of independent curved metal springs expandedthereon and in a tense condition, a shell of plastic material holdingsaid springs and sphere under compression, and an intervening layer offabric.

7. In a playing-ball, the combination with a sphere of yieldingmaterial, of a series of independent metal springs expanded over saidsphere, and a shell of gutta-percha holding said springs and sphereunder compression.

8. In a playing-ball, the combination with a sphere of yieldingmaterial, of a series of independent metallic hoops in a state ofexpansion and binding upon said sphere and forming a lattice-work casingthereon; said hoops being oblong in cross section and placed flatwiseupon said sphere; a gut/cw tense condition and forming an irregularlatpercha cover; and a fabric layer next to said tice-work sphere.hoops.

9. In a, playing-ball, the combination with FRANCIS RICHARDS 5 a cover,of a series of promiscuously-arranged Witnesses:

independent circular metal springs confined B. C. STICKNEY, within andsupporting said cover and in a JOHN O. SEIFERT.

